"Hey, new guy?"
While diligently working in the corporation to sustain my livelihood, my department head calls out to me.
"Is the work manageable? Not too tough?"
He tries to lighten his words, cautiously initiating conversation. His demeanor isn't just welcoming—it almost seems fearful.
"Yes... I'm quite satisfied with the work environment."
I wonder if he realizes who I'm connected to... Perhaps it's his knowledge of someone higher up that prompts such a guarded treatment.
"Good to hear. But you're new, so take your time to adjust. If anything feels overwhelming, let me know, alright?"
It almost seemed like I was in a higher position than him, a strange feeling, as if I were more than just the newest employee in the eyes of my superiors.
"Thank you, you're working hard too..."
My words carry multiple meanings... Did he catch my drift?
Honestly, despite my relatively fortunate position, I still express empathy, understanding we're both unintentionally suffering from similar circumstances.
"Take care..."
His short response conveys a mix of emotions. Watching him walk away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
"Ah, there he is."
As soon as he turns away, a chilling voice reaches my ears.
Miru spots me and seems happy, but the department head visibly shudders.
What kind of trauma must he have experienced to react so fearfully at just the sound of her voice? What could have been said in my absence?
Miru... she manipulated reality, and now she owns the company I work for.
"How's life at the company? Settling in alright?"
The moment she arrives, the young woman, barely an adult, grabs my hand, concerned.
"Very satisfactory..."
I force a smile, desperately trying to assure her that everything is fine, to avoid arousing any suspicion.
"Is there anything you're dissatisfied with? Like, say... harassment from a superior?"
She casts a scolding glance towards an unseen man, seemingly ready to cause harm to an innocent person. "?! "
The department head looks at me with an expression filled with intense nervousness, sweating profusely, and stands at attention with a pleading look in his eyes. It's like he's begging me to save him from this crisis, a veteran with decades of experience looking at me with such desperation.
"No...! Not at all! He's a really good boss, and I'm very satisfied with my work life...!"
"Hmm..."
I defend the situation with everything I've got, and despite her suspicious gaze...
"Alright, if you say so. That's good then."
Finally, she nods in agreement, and I feel like I've managed to save my department head's job.
"And now, come with me for a while. You've been working hard, so you deserve a break, don't you think?"
Without waiting for my opinion, she leads me by the hand to somewhere else.
"Hmm~ This place should be fine. No one will come here, so relax, it's okay."
Our destination is the rooftop of the building, a view I've seen countless times.
"Miru... stop doing this..."
I confront her directly, though it's more of a plea than a warning, knowing well that if Miru decides to, there's nothing I can do.
"What should I stop? You should at least give me some context so I can understand."
However, she genuinely seems not to understand what she's done wrong...
"Talking to my department head like you're threatening him... stop it... What did you do to him?"
I demand firmly, hoping she'll realize. She looks surprised for a moment, as if finally understanding what I'm talking about.
"Ah, you mean that person? Sympathizing with someone who'll end up hating you... That's very like the man I've taken a liking to."
Her tone sounds mocking, nonchalant despite having obviously misused her power.
"I didn't do much really. I just 'kindly' told him to take good care of someone important to me."
Her explanation reeks of lies... She must have used her position to make unreasonable demands, taking advantage of her power. "What exactly did you say to the department head that made a person nearing retirement have to receive guests like that?"
While I appreciated Miru's concern for me, it bothered me that an innocent person was being harmed because of it.
"Hmm... Really? But, Harold, you should know this: without my actions, you would have been seriously considering writing a resignation letter by now."
Miru's face contorted in displeasure at my criticism, as if I should be grateful for her intervention.
"What do you mean...?"
Her subsequent claim was unbelievable.
Me, writing a resignation letter?
"Although I don't think the desperate Harold, trying to support his family, would easily give up... it would have been incredibly tough and grueling."
I came here to survive... and found myself in an unimaginable position given my original capabilities...
"He is a notorious department head in the company. Known for his meticulous work but also for being excessively harsh on his subordinates, creating a reputation for being too demanding."
"?! "
I was taken aback by this unexpected revelation from Miru.
"Nobody who has adapted here wants to work under him. That’s why our department has a higher proportion of newcomers like you."
Now that I thought about it, there were many in our department who hadn't been there long...
"The department head is cruel to others. He pushes and overworks his employees to produce the results he wants."
I was unaware of his other side, having only experienced his kindness towards me.
"But... that's necessary to achieve good results, right?"
I tried to defend him, having taken his side once, but...
"Sounds nice when you put it like that. You speak so kindly only because you haven't experienced it yourself. His exacting nature has influenced the voluntary resignation rate, hasn't it?"
How harsh must it be... Was he like one of those devilish bosses often portrayed in dramas? As the conversation progressed, I felt increasingly embarrassed for challenging Miru, especially considering she might have been right in her actions to protect me.
"But when I think about it, I feel a bit wronged. I’ve done so much for you, and yet you express dissatisfaction with me?"
Miru suddenly turned sharp, her gaze piercing as she looked at me.
"Uh...?"
I felt cornered, regretting raising objections.
"Without me, you wouldn't have even set foot here, right?"
She tightened her grip on me with this harsh reality, leaving me speechless.
"Ah, Harold... Harold... You needed tuition for your sister, right? And your parents rely on you. I met them last time; such nice people..."
"?! "
She brought up a topic that should have been off-limits, stirring my nerves.
"You met my parents...? How do you know where they are?!"
I had never mentioned my family’s whereabouts. Yet, her words implied she knew them, as if there was some familiarity.
"Calm down. In this world, money can do almost anything, right? Although it's not apparent on the surface, most problems can be solved with money behind the scenes... You, being from this world, should know that better, right?"
Her words sent chills down my spine, sounding like something straight out of a crime drama, yet uncomfortably realistic.
"Anyway, getting back to the main point... It doesn’t seem like you're in any position to raise your voice against me, are you?"
"Ugh..."
Her words hit me like a final blow, and I let out a short groan.
"I hope you understand, Harold. You are not on an equal footing with me. It's a clear master-servant relationship. You know who you need to keep this job, don't you?"
The pain of being so vulnerably caught in her grasp was almost tangible.
"Ah, I almost forgot about this today."
Suddenly, as if she remembered something important, she clapped her hands and approached me with a sinister smile. "Could it be... again...?"
Feeling her seductive smile and my cheeks turning slightly red, I instinctively step back in alarm.
"Are you planning to do it again today? I'm so tired of this..."
"Don't move."
Her voice is colder and more authoritative than before, freezing me in place.
Firmly -...
Miru closes the distance, embracing me tightly, savoring my presence. She inhales deeply, pressing her body against mine as if marking her territory.
"Pucker up."
As she demands a kiss, I hesitate.
"Why aren't you puckering up? Do you dislike this life?"
Her chilling breath on my neck compels me to lower my head reluctantly.
"You're obedient."
Our lips meet, lingering for what seems like an eternity.
"Stay still. Do you want to get fired?"
I try to resist in this uncomfortable situation, but it's futile.
"Phew... Sweet as always..."
Finally, our lips part after what feels like forever.
"Go on, get back to work. I shouldn't keep you too long. Keep up the good work for the rest of the day."
She smiles satisfactorily after taking what she wanted from me.
How long will I have to endure this?
To be honest, I'm starting to worry about the other world.
The time that has passed... What's happening to those who know me in the other world?
"Uh..."
Suddenly, the image of a woman flashes through my mind.
"Yura, are you doing well?"
Time passes, and finally, the end of the workday arrives. Eager for freedom, I head straight to my sister's place.
"Brother? Welcome. It feels like I see you every day since your workplace isn't far."
Indeed, the company and her place are close, and my new residence is also nearby, so I've been visiting more often.
"Do you have something to tell me today?"
Did she notice that I have something to say, or does she think so because I often come to vent my frustrations without going into details? Honestly... I came here today to let off some steam too.
"First, have a seat here. I don’t have tea, but it’s better than standing and talking."
We sit around a small table, seemingly placed to fill the empty space. Yura joins me on the other side.
"So... Did your boss give you a hard time again?"
Yura accurately perceives my inner turmoil, hitting the nail on the head. Despite being my younger sister, she's exceptionally perceptive.
"Uh... Yeah, something like that... Sorry for coming over again."
I apologize to her first. Sharing my sorrows might lessen them, but it also burdens the innocent, like my sister.
"It's okay!! You're working hard for our family, so this is the least I can do."
Despite the situation, my kind-hearted sister, who has always looked up to me since we were kids, reassures me with a smile.
"And... When we were younger, I used to rely on you..."
"What, what did you say?"
Suddenly, she murmurs something under her breath, too softly for me to catch.
"Oh... It’s nothing!!"
For a brief moment, her expression reveals nostalgia and longing, but then she hastily waves it away, trying to divert my attention.
"So, what did you want to talk about today?"
Yura quickly steers the conversation back on track, leaning on the table and listening attentively, her eyes shining with clarity.
"Um, well, it’s about my boss..."
Throughout our conversation, Yura just listens without interrupting, her curiosity never waning despite the dramatic and surreal nature of the situation.
Having such a reliable sister by my side...
Our conversation continues until night falls.